The compulsory Willie picture! Good to see you maintaining the travel blog tradition of ensuring pictures and statues of willies are well publicised! And its a good'n!
I love the idea of "the divine madman", I think I'd become a follower. Hope Sarah's illness has passed, love Tony and Jen
You were right! I see from today's news that there is a new crown prince in Bhutan, let national happiness be unconfined! Great pix of the prayer flags in the snow.
Some things are always the same We find that, wherever we go in the world, there is always a good chance that it will be closed on the day we are there! It's sounding very interesting and I'm glad to hear it is now warming up.
The Real Marigold Hotel Just caught up with the first episode of that series last night. As I was watching I reminded L that you were somewhere in India at the moment. Logged on here to read your blog and see you were actually right there lol! Kx
Things change... Pushkar certainly looks bigger than when I visited, twenty years ago! At that time, no vehicles where allowed into the village. We arrived after dark and had to walk down to the lakeside surrounded by pilgrims that had journeyed on the bus with us. We were all very excited because coloured lights were lit all along the road, temples were blaring out bajans over distorted sound systems and worshippers were dancing in lines between the temples at each end of the lake. The drain on the generators must have been substantial, so at intervals they would cut out leading to quiet and darkness for a few moments while somebody reset them at which point the lights and music would begin again to the vocal delight of the crowds. This continued through the night, only dying down around 5am but as soon as morning broke the conches sounded on the ghats and it all started up again.
Glad you're enjoying your journey, I know India can be difficult to travel in but I also know some of my most vivid memories come from my visits there. Enjoy!
From "out there reading" Hello to you both. Great to follow your latest travels. Your account of India echoes our experience in 1990 - although we didn't have "Hugh's app" to help in those days. We were only there for five days or so, so never quite overcame the shock or adjusted - and Ali was already ill ahead of arrival. Hence he was pretty thin for our wedding a couple of months later!
Talking of last century, we're going to see Liz Davies (now Marchant) near Aberdeen in a couple of weeks, popping in to see M on both legs of the journey. Liz's village has suffered from the recent floods, so we're hoping they're faring a little better, and that our tourist pounds will be welcome.
In April, we're going to Japan. Have you been? We're expecting the experience to be as culturally different as you're having now. Our attempts to learn a little of the language are proving fruitless so far. It is so so different.
Anyway, keep up the good work on the blog. It is very impressive - and definitely worthwhile reading.
K
Camels and balloons in Pushkar My Mum went there a couple of years ago to take part in the international hot air balloon festival at the same time as the camel fair: a very exciting time & like nothing she's experienced before or since! Before that the furthest she'd been was France but it certainly have her a real taste for adventure. Look forward to your next installment. Jen xxx
Travels Hi S&H, your first few days sound horrendous I couldn't manage all those crowds but the jet-lag will not have helped. Take care. You left behind snow and ice, rain and wind forecast for the end of the week. Janet
Bon voyage Hi Sarah and Hugh, thank you for your inspiring pieces about South America. Certainly getting near the top of our list of places to go. Look forward to hearing more about India. I remember an afternoon watching the parakeets in Lodi Gardens many years ago.
Happy New Year Sarah & Hugh
It has been fab reading about all of you adventures travelling. Welcome home and a Happy New Year, I look forward to the next instalment.
Mandy xx
Final blog What an amazing trip!! The Paine Massif photos are amazing!! Hope the knees have recovered and will be 'sorted' for the next trip.
Thank you for an interesting ,informative but personal blog- have really enjoyed sharing your adventures.
Good travelling in 2016!!
Snow! Thanks for all the updates and great pics. Hope you're fully recovered now Sarah - Jane has had a similar virus throughout our trip to Norway and beyond though she managed not to let it spoil the trip (and avoided seasickness thanks to every type of medicinal and homeopathic remedy known). It was interesting to see the snow in South America as it wasn't as cold as we expected in Norway and the snow we experienced in the far north thawed and melted as we came southwards again. More evidence of climate change I suppose. Norwegian scenery utterly spectacular nonetheless.
Hello Hi Sarah
Everything sounds so exciting pity about the cough, at least it frightened off the bed bugs! Getting more envious by the minute. Take care. Janet
Greetings! Good to hear you are on yer way, and already getting involved with people you meet.
There was article in the Guardian last week about Peronista bars in BA which sounded a bit bonkers. Have you ever found yourself in one??
What are you up to on your independent travels?
Best, C.
Sarah/Hugh
Love the history lesson. Apartment looks great. Meeting up with Gabbi again a bonus. Very envious looking forward to the next blog. Take care.
Janet
Tony Painter
non-member comment
The compulsory Willie picture!
Good to see you maintaining the travel blog tradition of ensuring pictures and statues of willies are well publicised! And its a good'n! I love the idea of "the divine madman", I think I'd become a follower. Hope Sarah's illness has passed, love Tony and Jen